Lai, Samantha Miu Ha; (1996) An expert system for development of powder filled hard gelatin capsule formulations. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The aim of my PhD project is to build up an expert system for development of formulation for powder filled hard gelatin capsules. An expert system is a program that attempts to capture the knowledge and experience from experts in the field. It is very often a time consuming process to develop formulations for drugs particularly new drugs. With the aid of an expert system, a logically devised formula can be recommended more efficiently. It can also be used as a training tool. C and DbaseIV computer languages were used to develop the expert system. Relevant information such as dose; drug properties, for example, solubility and particle size; and incompatibility data of drug with gelatin and excipients were fed into the system and the output would include the recommended formula. This system was made up of three major components: the databases, the main program and the 'learning package'. The databases formed the knowledge base and the foundation of the system. The databases contained knowledge of marketed formulations, drugs and excipients; bibliography and expert knowledge in the subject; and results of statistical analysis of experiments carried out to derive missing information. Based on this knowledge base, rules and facts of developing formulations in powder filled hard gelatin capsules were derived. Decision trees of the main program were developed. After the initial trial which tested the logic of these rules, the decision trees were translated into programming language. The 'Learning package' is an important feature in the system. When the expert system is used for a longer period of time, there may be new knowledge in the subject. Some of the current rules may need to be changed or replaced. The lists of default excipients used may be updated using the learning package. In conclusion, the expert system is a learning system. It provides an efficient way to develop formulations for powder filled hard gelatin capsules.

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